TITLE:
Mathematical Culture in the Landscapes of West Lake
AUTHORS:
Zhirui Huang, Liuyi Yang
KEYWORDS:
Similar Triangles, Parabola, West Lake Landscapes, Leifeng Pagoda, Broken Bridge
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.9,
September
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: West Lake is renowned worldwide for its picturesque scenery and profound cultural heritage. This paper uses two famous scenic spots, Leifeng Pagoda and Broken Bridge, as examples to explore the mathematical culture embedded in the landscapes of West Lake. We analyze not only the architectural structure and geometric aesthetics of Leifeng Pagoda and Broken Bridge but also employ mathematical knowledge to understand these structures. This includes using the theorem of similar triangles to measure the height of Leifeng Pagoda, examining the geometric properties of Broken Bridge, such as parallelism, perpendicularity, and symmetry, and solving the coordinate system and parabolic equations related to Broken Bridge. Through these case studies, we discover that West Lake is not only a treasure of natural landscapes but also a fusion of humanistic spirit and scientific wisdom. This paper aims to enrich the understanding of traditional Chinese culture through the exploration of the mathematical culture in West Lake’s landscapes and to provide new perspectives and ideas for the future preservation of cultural heritage and scientific education.